Why are many suggesting that you vote "No" for the three proposed school referendums? Because they hate children? No! Because they hate teachers? No!

We, as taxpayers, do not like giving a blank check to the school board, so that year after year they can take these funds and spend as they choose. Look up the word "fungible" — once they get this $2 million it can be spent anywhere they want.

Voting "yes" is giving the school budget an additional $2 million forever. Their brochure says this would cost taxpayers with property valued at $100,000 an additional "$1.48 a week." That is actually a $77 per year increase for every $100,000 assessed value of homeowners and business properties, on top of the $756 per $100,000 that we are already paying! Unbelievable that they would ask that of the citizens of Manitowoc!

The $5 million reductions in state aid that they mention includes the money that the state is no longer contributing to teachers' health insurance and pension plans. The school census has dropped 400 students since 2010 — another reason for part of the $5 million reduction.

MPSD has not taken advantage of Act 10 like the county government has. They have done little to hold down cost of sick leaves and even the cost of insurance. They could ask spouses of teachers who have insurance to claim the teacher on their insurance.

Perhaps the biggest insult to taxpayers is the fact that they spent precious tax dollars to hire consultants to lend a patina of seriousness to what they want to do.